How to Break In a Baseball Glove (Without Ruining It)
The best way to break in a baseball glove is to play catch with it and work the pocket by hand with a ball or mallet. It takes longer than shortcuts like steaming or heat, but it shapes the glove to your hand without drying out the leather or weakening the laces.
The right way to break in a glove
1. Play catch, a lot
This is the gold standard. Catching in the pocket, over and over, shapes the glove around your hand and the way you close it. Short sessions most days beat one long session a week.
2. Work the pocket with a ball or mallet
Pound a ball or glove mallet into the pocket while you're watching TV or sitting in the dugout. Focus on where you actually want to catch the ball.
3. Flex it along its natural hinge
Open and close the glove the way it's designed to close. Every pattern closes a little differently, thumb to pinky or thumb to ring finger, so follow the glove instead of forcing a new fold.
4. Store it with a ball in the pocket
Between sessions, put a ball in the pocket and close the glove loosely around it. This holds the shape you're building.
What to avoid
- Steaming. It speeds things up but dries out the leather and laces.
- Ovens, microwaves or other heat. Heat cracks leather and weakens the glove's structure.
- Hot water. Soaking a glove weakens it and can leave it floppy.
- Too much oil. Heavy oil darkens the leather and makes the glove heavy. Premium steerhide needs little, if any, conditioner.
- Storing it flat or crushed. Keep it somewhere it won't get squashed.
Everyday glove care
- Wipe off dirt and sweat with a slightly damp cloth after you play.
- If it gets wet, let it air dry naturally, away from heaters and direct sun.
- If the leather starts to feel dry, use a small amount of conditioner made for baseball gloves. A little goes a long way.
- Have loose or worn laces re-laced so the glove keeps its shape.
- Store it in a cool, dry place, not a hot car trunk.
Choosing the right size first
A glove breaks in faster when it's the right size and pattern for your position. As a guideline, middle infielders usually use 11.25" to 11.5", third basemen and pitchers 11.5" to 12", and outfielders 12.25" to 12.75". Comfort comes first, so these are guidelines, not rules.
Glove break-in FAQ
How long does it take to break in a baseball glove?
It depends on the leather and how often you use it. Plan on regular catch sessions over a few weeks for a premium leather glove.
Should I steam my glove?
We don't recommend it. Steam dries out leather and laces and can shorten the life of the glove.
Do I need glove oil?
Not much, if any. Use a light conditioner only when the leather feels dry.